Got overdue parking tickets? ‘Collection Reduction’ is for you

Just in from the city – before their parking-ticket “scofflaw” program kicks in this July, they’re offering people with overdue parking tickets a chance to catch up. Read ahead for the news release:

The Seattle Municipal Court is holding a Collections Reduction Event during the months of May and June, 2011. The event waives all collections fees and interest on parking and traffic infractions if tickets are paid in full. The Collections Reduction Event does not apply to those entering into a time-payment plan. The Court accepts cash, checks, credit cards, and money orders for payment of tickets. The Court efforts are designed to offer people with unpaid infractions in collections a significant savings if they pay off their tickets. The program also encourages people to pay their unpaid parking tickets before the new parking scofflaw program launches.

A scofflaw is someone with a vehicle that has four or more unpaid parking tickets. Starting July 1, scofflaw vehicles parked in public right-of-way will get their wheel locked with a boot. If a vehicle receives a boot, full payment of all past-due tickets and the boot fee must be paid within 48 hours or the vehicle may be towed. Full payment includes the initial parking fines, default penalties, collection fees and interest. If towed, full payment plus the boot and tow fees must be made before the car is released from impound. People unable to make a one-time full payment may arrange a time-payment plan with Seattle Municipal Court’s contracted collections agency, AllianceOne, Inc. (http://www.allianceoneinc.com).

The booting of a vehicle will be less expensive and easier to deal with than a tow and impound. Boot fees will be less than tow fees, and motorists do not have to travel to a tow yard to release their cars. The City of Seattle recently chose an outside vendor as part of a competitive bidding process, PayLock IPT, LLC (www.paylock.com). PayLock IPT will provide the City with “boots” to immobilize cars and process payments over the phone.

To see if you have unpaid parking tickets and to pay them, go to www.seattle.gov/scofflaw (English) or call (206) 684-5600 (interpretation may be available). Payment can also be made in person at The Seattle Municipal Court at 600 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

9 Replies to "Got overdue parking tickets? 'Collection Reduction' is for you"

  • Nulu April 27, 2011 (7:04 pm)

    With the city so short on money, why should anyone who does not pay their fines be excused?

    This practice just encourages scofflaws as they realize they do not have to obey the laws and suffer the same consequences as those that do.

  • coffee April 27, 2011 (8:45 pm)

    I would think it would increase the amount of money coming in because if you have an outstanding ticket and you dont or cant pay the huge “fees” this will get the ticket cleared thus bringing in revenues.

  • teacher/mom April 27, 2011 (9:41 pm)

    You still have to pay the original infraction fine. It’s the interest and collections fees (which are added on after 15 days, and can be considerable) that are being waived. Thus, you get another chance to act responsibly for your mistakes.

  • Nulu April 28, 2011 (7:27 am)

    Yes, you get another chance, unlike those who pay on time.

    And you get an another additional chance, unlike those who didn’t pay on time, but do pay after the 15 days, those of us that have paid the interest and collection fees.

    This is unfair to the majority of people that pay up.

    Let those scofflaws get fined, booted, towed and lose their cars if necessary…driving and parking are a contractual responsibility, not a right.

  • I have parking tickets April 28, 2011 (8:00 am)

    Someone has a chip on their shoulder.

  • liss April 28, 2011 (11:14 am)

    yes serious chips on the shoulder for goodness sakes. judgey mcgrudgey! they are not reducing the late fee only the fee if it’s in collections. judge not…

  • lucky chick April 28, 2011 (11:50 am)

    I’m with you, Nulu. Stop rewarding (and thereby encouraging) poor behavior.

  • datamuse April 28, 2011 (3:43 pm)

    I might be inclined to agree, except that I know too many people living so close to the edge that this might make the difference in whether they go over.

  • JCH April 28, 2011 (11:45 pm)

    So then my question is…while the car is parked on the street with a boot for 48 hours will they get more tickets if they’re in a pay/metered spot? If they are parked and booted in a “pay” spot doesn’t that take revenue away as well – the car takes up a parking spot for up to 2 days and “may” be towed after that time period…not to mention raising frustration levels (for those of us who do not get parking infractions and still have their cars) while searching for parking!

Sorry, comment time is over.